Barcode Scanner
Barcode Scanner
Scan album barcodes with your webcam to quickly find and add them to your collection. This is the fastest way to catalog a stack of records.
Opening the Scanner
From the Add Media window:
- Click the barcode scanner icon (camera icon) next to the search field
- Allow webcam access if prompted
- The scanner window opens with your camera feed
Scanning a Barcode
- Hold the album so the barcode faces your webcam
- Position it within the yellow guide overlay
- Hold steady—scanning is automatic
- When detected, you'll hear a beep (if sound is enabled)
The barcode value appears on screen and DeepGrooves immediately searches Discogs.
Scanner Window
The scanner window shows:
- Live camera feed — What your webcam sees
- Yellow guide overlay — Target area for the barcode
- Detection result panel — Shows the scanned barcode and search results
- Camera selector — Choose a different webcam if you have multiple
Supported Barcode Formats
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| EAN-13 | Standard European barcode (13 digits) |
| EAN-8 | Short European barcode (8 digits) |
| UPC-A | Standard US barcode (12 digits) |
| UPC-E | Compressed US barcode (6-8 digits) |
| CODE-128 | High-density barcode |
| CODE-39 | Alphanumeric barcode |
Most vinyl records use EAN-13 or UPC-A.
After Scanning
Single Result
If Discogs finds exactly one match, it displays immediately. Click Add to Collection or Add to Wishlist.
Multiple Results
If multiple pressings share the same barcode, choose the correct one from the list. Look at year, country, and label to identify your pressing.
No Results
Some barcodes may not be in Discogs:
- Very old pressings (pre-barcode era)
- Small indie labels
- Promotional copies
- New releases not yet catalogued
If scanning fails, try searching by text instead.
Scanning Tips
Lighting
- Use good room lighting
- Avoid direct glare on the barcode
- Dark rooms make scanning difficult
Positioning
- Center the barcode in the frame
- Keep 6-12 inches from the camera
- Angle slightly to reduce reflection
Barcode Condition
- Clean off dust or dirt
- Smooth out wrinkled stickers
- Damaged barcodes may not scan
Camera Selection
If your laptop has multiple cameras (built-in plus external), use the dropdown to select the best one. External webcams often have better resolution.
Continuous Scanning
Keep the scanner open to scan multiple albums in sequence.
- Scan first barcode
- Add to collection
- Scan next barcode
- Repeat
This workflow makes cataloguing a large collection fast and efficient.
Troubleshooting
- Camera not detected — Check that your webcam is connected. Verify another app isn't using the camera.
- Poor image quality — Clean your camera lens. Improve room lighting.
- Permission denied — Check Windows camera privacy settings. Allow DeepGrooves to access the camera.
- Barcode not scanning — Try different angle or distance. Clean the barcode surface.
Related topics:
- adding-albums
- discogs-search
- discogs-import